Letter-writer: No Derby-Pie for Jason Biggs!

Sensible gun laws

Would Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul and all the other senators of both parties who voted "no" have voted against the background checks bill if they had lost a child to gun violence at Newtown, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Tucson, Louisville, Bowling Green or Washington, D.C.?

I don't think Jim and Sarah Brady, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly, the parents and survivors of the Newtown victims, think of themselves as props, or as instruments of exploiting the gun violence issue by the Obama administration. The props accusation by Sen. Paul shows insensitivity and a lack of empathy.

Polls showed a significant majority of Americans supported background checks. Senators who voted against the bill showed they favor National Rifle Association bribery money and power over the will and safety of the American people. In future elections, we should hold politicians that take large campaign contributions from the NRA, gun manufacturers and gun-sellers accountable when these same politicians vote against sensible gun bills.

Following past gun violence tragedies, the NRA's and gun lobbies' attitudes in response to immediate public outrage has been: "with time this too will pass." This time, after Newtown, citizens of good will are not going to let gun violence issues go away until Congress passes sensible, doable legislation.

PAUL L. WHITELEY, Sr.

Louisville 40207

Shameful cartoon

You should be ashamed of yourself for the cartoon of the 2-year-old who was accidentally shot. Who gives you the right to play off of people's heartache and anguish? I live in Burkesville but I am originally from the north so I am quite familiar with both worlds. This was a horrible accident and tragedy that an entire community is dealing with. The media has turned this into a political issue.

People are suffering and grieving and you put something like this in your paper. You should be sued for everything you have. Hope you are aware you have just lost yourself a lot of business and most importantly respect. Shooting guns is a sport, just like archery, fishing, football, basketball, etc.

You have chosen to pick on this poor family and small community and what about all the soldiers being killed on a daily basis protecting your butt. Only a coward would hide behind print. A formal printed apology is in order.

HEATHER CASH

Burkesville, Ky. 42717

Outraged by cartoon

I along with many others in Cumberland County are outraged with the political cartoon about the tragedy in our community. It is very disrespectful and cruel. I am sure if the idiot that drew the cartoon had a child in this situation he would not want something like this made fun of.

I think that every business in this town should stop selling The Courier-Journal and the citizens should call and cancel their subscriptions and tell them why!

LANA OWENS

Burkesville, Ky. 42717

Praises Churchill Downs

Kudos to the staff and medical personnel at Churchill Downs while I attended the Oaks. After being seated on the first floor grandstand we left to walk around when I fell, hitting my head, and was knocked unconscious.

My daughter called for a medic who appeared within a minute or two. Due to the quick and professional care I was rushed to the hospital with extreme speed.

At present I am home recovering with hopes of attending the Oaks next year since my friends and I missed the races spending the day at the hospital. Thanks, Churchill Downs, for your swift attention to a dreadful fall and for the good care I was given by the ambulance staff.

Rest assured I want everyone to know the care I was given at Churchill Downs was the best. Thanks to all who helped to care for me.

KATHRYN BRANGERS

Louisville 40217

Military delays

Failure to salute is a very serious offense in the military. It is followed by quick and serious punishment. Therefore, it seldom happens. Not so with sexual assault. It is seldom followed by quick and serious punishment, and usually by delays and excuses. That is why last year there were thousands of reported cases of sexual assault - followed by military delay and excuses. The military seems to greatly care about the salute and hardly care about sexual assault. But it does require the victim to salute their rapist.

CHARLES BUCHER

Louisville 40243

A Derby tip for Mrs. Jason Biggs

I read with interest the comments made via social media by Mrs. Jason Biggs, aka "Guest," because nobody would know who she is otherwise, regarding her experience in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby 2013.

Evidently, the grace, charm and hospitality that is ever-present in Louisville, especially during Derby week, was lost on her.

I am just grateful that her husband didn't do to a Derby Pie what he does to apple pies in movies.